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American Airlines unveils its list of Loyalty Point-qualifying partners

Jan. 03, 2022
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3 min read
American Airlines LaGuardia Airport Western Concourse New Admira
American Airlines unveils its list of Loyalty Point-qualifying partners
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Editor's Note

This post has been updated with new information.

UPDATE: American Airlines has created a list of which AAdvantage miles count toward Loyalty Points:

  • Portal sites: American Airlines Vacations, AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Dining, SimplyMiles
  • Hotels: bookaahotels.com, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, Marriott Vacations, RocketMiles
  • Car rentals: aa.com/car, Avis, Budget, Payless, Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Alamo, National, Sixt
  • Cruises: bookaacruises.com
  • Retail: Shell, WeWork, Vinesse, FTD, Vivid Seats, NRG Energy, Reliant Energy, Xoom, Miles for Opinion

ORIGINAL: If you’re planning on earning American Airlines AAdvantage elite status next year, there’s now a list of partners where you can earn those coveted Loyalty Points.

Loyalty Points is the new elite status-qualifying currency that’s being rolled out next year that completely changes the way you earn AAdvantage status. Generally speaking, one AAdvantage mile equals one Loyalty Point.

The list of partners should look familiar to any AAdvantage loyalist. While there are no significant changes from this year’s AAdvantage partners, you will notice two notable exceptions.

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The first change is good news: Brazilian airline GOL has now been added as an elite-qualifying airline, so AAdvantage miles earned when flying GOL will also earn Loyalty points. American recently purchased a 5.2% stake in GOL and strengthened its codeshare partnership.

On the other hand, the second change is not good news: AAdvantage miles earned through Bask Bank will not earn Loyalty Points. Bask Bank’s savings account currently earns an AAdvantage mile for each dollar deposited, and that will continue. However, you won’t earn Loyalty Points through deposits. This no doubt would have been a very popular way to earn points toward elite status.

More: How to earn American Airlines elite status next year

So, what else will earn Loyalty Points?

TPG reporter Benji Stawski has a comprehensive list of ways to earn Loyalty Points. Among the highlights:

  • Flying American Airlines — the original way to earn AAdvantage miles. General members continue to earn 5 award miles per dollar spent, Gold members earn 7, Platinum members earn 8, Platinum Pro members earn 9 and Executive Platinum members earn 11 AAdvantage miles. Those will translate 1:1 into Loyalty Points.
  • Flying partner airlines. In addition to GOL, Loyalty Points are earned by flying on all Oneworld airlines, as well as partners such as JetBlue.
  • Spending on cobranded credit cards. American’s numerous cobranded credit cards will earn a single Loyalty Point per dollar spent, but sign-up bonuses, spending offers and category multiplier bonuses won’t earn points. Regardless, this should be a very popular way to earn Loyalty Points.
  • Using AAdvantage Dining. Every mile earned through AAdvantage Dining also earns a Loyalty Point.
  • Booking stays with partner hotels. Loyalty Points can be earned through American’s hotels portal, as well as stays at Hyatt, Marriott, IHG and Wyndham.

You can begin to earn Loyalty Points on Jan. 1, and the revamped program launches on March 1. If you haven’t yet qualified for 2022 AAdvantage status, you have until Feb. 28 to qualify under the old system, too.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.